Folding storage assembly

ABSTRACT

A portable storage assembly includes a central support structure and a container assembly comprising a storage container and a cover member. The container assembly is movable between access and storage positions with respect to the central support structure. When the container assembly is in its access position, the storage container is in its access position and the cover member is movable into its open position and when the cover member is in its closed position, the container assembly can be moved into its storage position in which the storage container is in its storage position with respect to the central support structure. The central support structure holds the cover member closed when the container assembly is in its storage position. A locking assembly releasably locks the container assembly in its storage position. A handle is connected to the central support structure for carrying assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally related to storage assemblies and moreparticularly to portable folding storage assemblies for storing andcarrying a plurality of items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most portable storage boxes (such as, for example, toolboxes used forstoring tools and related items for various types of work such ascarpentry, electrical work, sewing and various hobbies) generallycomprise a relatively large, box-like container having a pivotallymounted cover or lid. The relatively large container provides arelatively deep storage space. Often, a lower portion of this storagespace is used to store relatively large tools (such as hammers,wrenches, screwdrivers, scissors, pliers and the like) and a removabletray-like structure is disposed in the upper portion of the storagespace. The tray is a relatively shallow container that can be used tostore smaller items (such as pencils, retractable rules, fasteners andthe like).

This arrangement is disadvantageous for several reasons. For example,workers often have to use may small items (such as of fasteners ofvarious sizes) while working. A carpenter may have to use nails orscrews of various sizes, for instance, and a person who is sewing mayuse pins, buttons and like items of various sizes while working.Although the storage area of the tray may be subdivided into a few smallcompartments which can be used to organize some of the small items usedby the worker, the tray arrangement often does not provide a sufficientnumber of compartments or an optimal arrangement of compartments formany tasks. Another disadvantage of this type of toolbox is that thetray must be removed from the storage box to provide access to therelatively large items at the bottom of the storage space.

There is a need for a portable storage box that can provide a largenumber of small compartments to accommodate and organize a large numberof small items, that can also provide relatively large storage spacesfor relatively large tools, and that can provide easy access and wellorganized access to all of the storage space provided by the storagebox.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The need identified above is met by a portable folding storage assemblyfor storing and carrying a plurality of items constructed according tothe principles of the present invention. The storage assembly includes acentral support structure constructed and arranged to be supported in agenerally upright position on a level support surface and a containerassembly. The container assembly includes a storage container and acover member. The storage container provides an interior storage spaceand an access opening into the storage space. The storage container ismounted on the central support structure for movement with respectthereto between an access position and a storage position. The covermember is movable with respect to the storage container between a closedposition in which the cover member is in covering relation with theaccess opening of the storage container to retain stored items withinthe storage space and an open position in which the cover member ismoved away from the access opening of the storage container to allowitems to be placed in and removed from the storage space of the storagecontainer. The container assembly is movable between an access positionand a storage position with respect to the central support structure.The container assembly is constructed and arranged such that (1) whenthe container assembly is in its access position, the storage containeris in its access position and the cover member is movable into its openposition and (2) when the cover member is in its closed position thecontainer assembly can be moved into its storage position in which thestorage container is in its storage position with respect to the centralsupport structure. The central support structure is constructed andarranged such that when the container assembly is in its storageposition, the central support structure is positioned to hold the covermember in its closed position with respect to the storage container. Thestorage assembly includes a locking assembly that is constructed andarranged to releasably lock the container assembly in its storageposition. A handle is connected to the central support structure. Thehandle is manually engagable by a hand of a worker to enable the workerto carry the central support structure, particularly when the containerassembly is in its storage position.

The storage assembly 10 further includes a plurality of drawers, eachdrawer providing a storage space for storing items therein. Each of thedrawers is mounted in the central support structure for movement betweenopen and closed drawer positions. The container assembly and theplurality of drawers are constructed and arranged such that 1) when thecontainer assembly is in its access position the drawers are movablebetween their open and closed positions and such that 2) when thedrawers are in their closed positions, movement of the containerassembly into its storage position releasably locks each drawer in itsclosed position.

Other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description, theaccompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example portable folding storageassembly constructed according to the principles of the presentinvention, the storage assembly including a pair of container assembliesand a plurality of drawers mounted on a central support structure, thecontainer assemblies being shown in their storage positions and thedrawers being shown in their closed positions in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 except showing each containerassembly in its access position, one container assembly having a covermember thereof in a closed position and the other container assemblyhaving the cover member thereof in a partially open position to show aplurality of compartments within the storage space thereof, and FIG. 2further showing one of the drawers in a partially open position;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of another example portable foldingstorage assembly constructed according to the principles of the presentinvention, the folding storage assembly including the containerassemblies, each shown in its storage position, and a storage bin shownpivoted into its access position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 except showing two of the containerassemblies of the storage assembly in their access positions and showingthe respective cover members thereof partially open and showing a drawerof the storage assembly in its partially open position; and

FIG. 5 is a view from another perspective of the portable foldingstorage assembly of FIG. 3 except showing all three of the containerassemblies thereof in their access positions and showing the covermember of each container assembly in its closed position with respectthereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a portable folding storage assembly 10constructed according to the principles of the present invention forstoring, organizing and carrying a plurality of items. The storageassembly 10 includes a central support structure 12 constructed andarranged to be supported in a generally upright position on a levelsupport surface and a pair of container assemblies 14, 16 movablymounted on the central support structure 12. The particular containerassemblies 14, 16 that are shown to illustrate the principles of theinvention are of similar construction to one another. Only containerassembly 14 is considered in detail, but the construction and operationof container assembly 16 can be understood from this discussion. Thecontainer assembly 14 includes a storage container 18 and a cover member20.

The storage container 18 provides an interior storage space 22 and anaccess opening 24 into the storage space 22. The storage container 18 ismounted on the central support structure 12 for movement with respectthereto between an access position (see FIG. 2) and a storage position(see FIG. 1). The cover member 20 is movable with respect to the storagecontainer between a closed position (see FIG. 1, for example, or thecontainer assembly 16 of FIG. 2) in which the cover member 20 is incovering relation with the access opening 24 of the storage container 18to retain stored items (not shown in the figures) within the storagespace 22 and an open position (the cover member 20 of container assembly14 is shown partially open in FIG. 2) in which the cover member 20 ismoved away from the access opening 24 of the storage container 18 toallow items to be placed in and removed from the storage space of thestorage container. The cover member 20 may be movably attached to thestorage container 18 for movement between open and closed positions withrespect thereto. More specifically, in the example storage assembly 10the cover member 20 is pivotally attached to the storage container 18 bya set of hinges 26.

The storage space of the storage container 18 of the container assembly14 is divided into a plurality of compartments 27 by walls 29. Thestorage space of the storage container 18 (not shown) of the othercontainer assembly 16 may also be divided into a plurality ofcompartments (by a similar wall arrangement, for example) for storingand organizing relatively small items or, alternatively, the storagecontainer 18 may have a single, undivided storage space for holdingrelatively large items. The compartments 27 can be used for organizing aplurality of personal items stored in the storage space.

The container assembly 14 is movable between an access position (FIG. 2)and a storage position (FIG. 1) with respect to the central supportstructure 12. When the container assembly 14 is in its access position,the storage container 18 thereof is in its access position and the covermember 20 thereof is movable into its open position. When the covermember 20 is in its closed position, the container assembly 14 can bemoved into its storage position (in which the storage container thereofis in its storage position with respect to the central supportstructure). When the container assembly 14 is in its storage position,the cover member 20 is positioned between the central support structure12 and the storage container 18 on which it is mounted. This positioningholds the cover member 20 in its closed position with respect to theassociated storage container 18. When the cover member 20 is in itsclosed position, the cover member 20 closes the top opening of eachcompartment 27, thereby preventing items in one compartment from movinginto another compartment (when, for example, the container assembly ispivoted into its storage position or when the storage assembly 10 isplaced on its side when both of the container assemblies thereof are intheir storage positions).

A locking assembly 28 releasably locks the container assembly 14 in itsstorage position. A handle 30 is connected to the central supportstructure 12. The handle 30 is manually engagable by a hand of a workerto enable the worker to carry the storage assembly 10.

A plurality of drawers 32 are mounted in the central support structure12 for movement between open and closed positions. Each drawer 32provides a storage space 34 for storing items (not shown) therein. Whenthe container assemblies 14, 16 are in their access positions, thedrawers 32 are movable between their open and closed positions. When thedrawers 32 are in their closed positions, movement of the containerassemblies 14, 16 into their storage positions releasably locks (in amanner described below) the drawers 32 in their closed positions. Thedrawers 32 may be constructed to be removable from the central supportstructure 12 so that each drawer 32 provides a detachable container. Oneor more drawers 32 may be divided into a plurality of compartments toorganize items stored within each drawer, or alternatively, each drawer32 may include a single storage space 34 (as shown).

In the example storage assembly 10, the central support structure 12,each storage container 18, and each cover member 20 are each constructedof a suitable light weight, high strength molded plastic material,although any suitable material may be used in their construction. Eachhinge 26 may be of integral plastic construction (as shown) or may be ofany other suitable construction. Each hinge 26 may, for example, includeintegral plastic portions and/or metal hinge parts (such as a metal rodwhich forms the pivot axis of the hinge, for example). Moreparticularly, the hinge halves may be integrally formed on the storagecontainer and cover member, respectively, of plastic material or eachhinge may be constructed entirely of metal parts which are secured tothe plastic (or other material if another material is used in theconstruction) by appropriate fasteners such as rivets or the like.

The central support structure 12 includes an upper portion 36 and alower base portion 38. The upper portion 36 generally defines twoopposing sidewalls 40, 42 (sidewall 42 is not visible in the figures butits location is generally indicated with the arrow associated withreference number 42 in FIG. 2) and a pair of opposing ends 44, 46 (end46 is not visible but is generally indicated by reference numeral 46).The base portion 38 is relatively wide and supports the upper portion 36thereof in an upright position and supports the storage assembly 10 inan upright position on a level surface when the storage assembly is inits closed position (that is, when each container assembly 14, 16 is inits storage position).

The container assemblies 14, 16 of the example storage assembly 10 aremounted on opposite sides of the central support structure 12. The baseportion 38 includes two pairs of integral plastic cylindricalprojections 48 (only one pair member of each pair is visible in thefigures) that are received within openings 50 formed in a pair ofrearwardly projecting flanges or wall portions 52 integrally formed onthe storage container 18 of each container assembly 14, 16. Thecylindrical projections 48 define a pivot axis for the pivotal movementof the associated storage containers 18 with respect to the centralsupport structure 12. Any other suitable arrangement can be used forpivotally mounting the storage container 18 of each container assembly14, 16 on the base portion of the central support structure 12.

Thus, each storage container 18 is pivotally mounted to the centralsupport structure 12 for movement between its storage and accesspositions. When a storage container 18 is in its access position, itextends outwardly from a lower portion of the central support structureand is supported by the level surface on which the storage assembly 10is resting. When a storage container 18 is in its access position, itextends generally horizontally outwardly from the generally verticallyextending central support structure 12. When a storage container 18 isin its storage position, it is generally in side-by-side relation withthe associated side wall 40 or 42 of the central support structure. Whenthe storage container 18 is locked in its storage position (by lockingassembly 28), each cover member 20 is held in its closed position on theassociated storage container 18 by the positioning of the storagecontainer 18 and the central support structure 12 as aforesaid.

Each locking assembly 28 may be integrally formed of plastic (as shown)or, alternatively, may be of any suitable construction, including aseparate mechanical assembly constructed of a metal or other appropriatematerial that is then attached to the plastic of the storage containerand associated cover member. Each example locking assembly 28 includesan integral plastic locking flange 56 formed on the storage container 18of each container assembly 16, 18 and a complementary flexible hook-likestructure 58 integrally formed of plastic on the central supportstructure 12. A locking structure 59 integrally formed on the hook-likestructure 58 releasably hookingly engages the associated locking flange56 on the storage container to hold the associated container assembly 14or 16 in its storage position and to hold the cover member 20 in itsclosed position when the associated container assembly is in its storageposition.

The drawers 32 may be made of a plastic material or any other suitablematerial. The drawers 32 are slidably received in openings 60 formed inone or both ends 44, 46 of the upper portion 36 of the central supportstructure 12. Drawers 32 may be mounted in each end 44, 46 or,alternatively, in one end (such as end 32) of the central supportstructure 12. The drawers 32 may be of equal dimensions to one another(as shown) or may be of different lengths and/or widths and/or depthsfrom one another. Each drawer 32 includes a handle 61 for opening andclosing the drawer. A lip or flange structure 63 on opposite sides ofeach drawer may be slidably supported on a pair of flanges formed onopposite sides of the associated opening 60.

Each container assembly 14, 16 includes drawer locking structure(illustrated in the form of flanges 62 on each cover member 20) thatholds the drawers 32 in their closed positions when one or both of thecontainer assemblies 14, 16 are in their storage positions. Thisprevents the drawers 32 from falling out or opening, for example, whenthe storage assembly 10 is being carried.

Another example of a storage assembly 100 is shown in FIGS. 3-5. Theportable folding storage assembly 100 includes a storage bin 102 havingan interior storage space 104 accessible through an access opening 106.The storage bin 102 is mounted on the central support structure 112 ofthe storage assembly 100 for movement between an access position (seeFIG. 3, for example) and a storage position (not shown). The centralsupport structure 112 includes covering structure generally designated108 constructed and arranged to cover the access opening 106 of thestorage bin 102 when the storage bin 102 is pivoted back into itsstorage position. A lower portion of the storage bin 102 is pivotallymounted to the central support structure 112 for movement between theaccess position and the storage position thereof. More specifically, abottom wall portion 110 of the central support structure 112 includes apair of flanges 114 that are used to pivotally mount the storage bin 102to the central support structure 112. More specifically, a cylindricalprojection 116 is received in an opening 117 formed in each flange 114.

The central support structure 112 further includes storage bin supportstructure (in the form of a plurality of downwardly extending flanges118 formed the covering structure 108) that is constructed and arrangedto limit the pivotal opening movement of the storage bin 102 from itsstorage position into its access position. The storage bin supportstructure 118 engages a back wall portion 120 of the storage bin 102 andthereby holds the storage bin 102 at an angle that provides convenientaccess to the items stored in the storage space 104 thereof through theaccess opening 106 of the bin while preventing the storage bin 102 frompivoting outwardly from the central support structure far enough tocause items stored therein to falling out or be “dumped” on the ground.The storage assembly 100 may optionally include a cushion-like pad ofmaterial 121 that cushions the impact of the movement of the storage bin102 back into its storage position. The storage assembly 100 mayoptionally include a locking assembly (not shown) that locks the storagebin 102 in its storage position. This is generally not required becausethe weight of the items in the storage bin 102 are sufficient to keepthe storage bin 102 in its storage position. The storage bin 102 is alsoangled outwardly far enough in its access position to that the weight ofthe items in the storage bin 102 keeps the storage bin 102 in its accessposition until the worker manually affirmatively pushes the bin backinto its storage position.

The storage assembly 110 further includes a first, second and thirdcontainer assembly, 122, 124, and 126, respectively. Each containerassembly includes a storage container 123, 125, 127, respectively, andan associated cover member 129, 131, 133, respectively. Each containerassembly 122, 124, 126 is mounted on the central support structure 112for movement between an access position and a storage position. Morespecifically, the central support structure 112 includes the bottom wallportion 110, a central upwardly projecting portion 128 and an end wallportion 130. The end wall 130 and the central portion 128 extendintegrally upwardly from the bottom wall portion 110. The end wall 130is integrally connected to one end of the central portion 128. Thecovering structure 108 extends integrally outwardly from an upperportion of the end wall 130. A handle 129 is integrally formed at a topportion of the central support structure for lifting and carrying theassembly 100.

The container assembly 122 is pivotally mounted to the central supportstructure 112 at one end by a projection 132 (integrally formed on thestorage container 123 or provided by a rivet or other fastener) thatextends through an opening 133 in an upwardly extending flange 134integrally formed on the bottom wall 110. The assembly 122 is pivotallymounted with respect to the end wall 130 by a cylindrical structure (notshown) that extends into an opening (not shown but similar to theopening 137 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example) in the central supportstructure 112. The outwardly projecting support structure may beprovided by a fastener such as a rivet or may be a cylindrical structureintegrally formed on the storage container 123. The container assembly124 is pivotally mounted to the central support structure 112 on theopposite side thereof using a similar arrangement.

The container assembly 126 is pivotally mounted to the central supportstructure 112 by means of a pair of flanges 144 that extend integrallyupwardly from the bottom wall 110 of the central support structure 112and an associated pair of cylindrical or rod-like projections 146 whichcould be integrally formed on the container structure 127 of thecontainer assembly 126 or which could be provided by rivets or likefasteners. The projections 146 are pivotally mounted within openings 147formed in the respective flanges 144.

In the example storage assembly 100, the central storage structure 112,and each container assembly 122, 124, 126 is constructed of a moldedplastic, although any suitable material (metal, etc.) may be used intheir construction. Each cover member 129, 131, 133, is pivotallyattached to the associated storage container 123, 125, 127 by a set ofintegral plastic hinges 160 (although any appropriate hinge structuremay be used). When each cover member is closed, each cover member 129,131, 133 is releasably locked in its closed position on the associatedstorage container 123, 125, 127 by a pair of cover locking assemblies162, 164, 166, formed on the three container assemblies, respectively.Each cover locking assembly 162, 164, 166 is comprised of an integralplastic flexible member 168 (formed on the associated cover member) thatincludes a central opening 169 that releasably engages associatedintegral plastic projections 171 (in the form of outwardly projectingwedge shaped “fins” or wall structures) formed on the associated storagecontainer.

Each container assembly 122, 124, 126 is releasably locked in itsstorage position with respect to the central support structure 112 by anassociated locking assembly 170, 172, 174. The locking assemblies 170,172 are each comprised of a flexible locking member 176, 178, 180,respectively, integrally formed on the central support structure 112 andan associated flange structure 182, 184, 186 integrally formed on thestorage container of the associated container assembly 122, 124, 126.

The central portion 128 of the central support structure 112 includes aplurality of openings 188 for slidably mounting a plurality of drawers190 therein. When the container assembly 126 is releasably locked in itsstorage position, the drawers 190 are retained in their closed positionsto prevent accidental opening movement of the drawers 190 during, forexample, transport of the storage assembly 100. The container assembly126 also includes an opening 192 that can be used as, for example, ahandle to facilitate moving the container assembly between its accessand storage positions.

The storage bin 102 provides a single large storage space for relativelylarge tools or other items. The storage containers 123, 125, 127 of theother container assemblies 122, 124, 126 may be divided intocompartments by integral plastic wall structure 193 (see storagecontainer 127 of container assembly 126 in FIG. 4, for example) or mayhave a single, noncompartmentalized storage position (see storagecontainer 125 of container assembly 124 in FIG. 4, for example).

It can be understood that the storage assemblies 10, 110 shown in thedrawings and described above are intended to illustrate and teach theconcepts of the invention only, and are not intended to limit the scopeof the invention to the example embodiments illustrated. For example, itis contemplated to provide a storage assembly similar to the storageassembly 10 except including only one container assembly mounted to thecentral support structure (instead of a pair of container assemblies asshown in, for example, FIG. 1). Storage assembly 10 in FIG. 2, forexample, may include a structure that presents the pivotal movement ofeach container assembly in its opening direction beyond the horizontal(or “90 degree” position with respect to the generally verticallyextending portion 128 of the central support structure 12) shown in FIG.2. In this embodiment, a worker would be able to lift the storageassembly 10 off the ground (using the handle 30, for example) and thestorage containers 18 would remain in their horizontal positions,thereby preventing the contents of each container from spilling on theground.

A greater or lesser numbers of container assemblies and/or storage binsmay be provided in a storage assembly then is illustrated in the exampleembodiments 10, 110.

It can be appreciated that the foregoing preferred specific embodimentsof the invention have been shown and described for the purpose ofillustrating the structural and functional principles of the presentinvention only and are subject to change without departing from suchprinciples. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications,alterations and substitutions encompassed within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable folding storage assembly for storingand carrying a plurality of items, said storage assembly comprising: acentral support structure constructed and arranged to be supported in agenerally upright position on a level support surface, and furthercomprising a plurality of drawers, each drawer providing a storage spacefor storing items therein, each of said drawers being mounted in thecentral support structure for movement between open and closed drawerpositions; a container assembly comprising a storage container and acover member, said storage container providing interior storage spaceand an access opening into said storage space, said storage containerbeing mounted on said central support structure for movement withrespect thereto between an access position and a storage position, saidcover member being movable with respect to the storage container betweena closed position in which the cover member is in covering relation withthe access opening of the storage container to retain stored itemswithin the storage space and open position in which the cover member ismoved away from the access opening of the storage container to allowitems to be placed in and removed from the storage space of the storagecontainer; said container assembly being movable between an accessposition and a storage position with respect to the central supportstructure, said container assembly being constructed and arranged suchthat 1) when the container assembly is in its access position, thestorage container is in its access position and the cover member ismovable into its open position and 2) when the cover member is in itsclosed position the container assembly can be moved into its storageposition in which the storage container is in its storage position withrespect to the central support structure, the central support structurebeing constructed and arranged such that when the container assembly isin its storage position, the central support structure is positioned tohold the cover member in its closed position with respect to the storagecontainer; said container assembly and said plurality of drawers beingconstructed and arranged such that 1) when said container assembly is inits access position the drawers are movable between their open andclosed positions and such that 2) when the drawers are in their closedpositions, movement of the container assembly into its storage positionreleasably locks the drawers in their closed positions; a lockingassembly constructed and arranged to releasably lock the containerassembly in the storage position thereof; and a handle connected to thecentral support structure, said handle being manually engagable by ahand of a worker to enable the worker to carry the central supportstructure, particularly when the container assembly is in the storageposition thereof.
 2. A portable folding storage assembly as defined inclaim 1, wherein said drawers are removable from said central supportstructure.
 3. A portable folding storage assembly as defined in claim 1,wherein the storage space of one or more drawers is divided into aplurality of compartments constructed and arranged to organize itemsstored within each drawer.
 4. A portable folding storage assembly asdefined in claim 1, wherein said container assembly is a first containerassembly, said folding storage assembly further comprising a secondcontainer assembly mounted on said central support structure formovement between an access position and a storage position in a mannersimilar to the first container assembly, the first and second containerassemblies and said plurality of drawers being constructed and arrangedsuch that 1) when said first and second container assemblies are in theaccess positions thereof the drawers are movable between their open andclosed positions and such that 2) when the drawers are in their closedpositions, movement of the first and second container assemblies intotheir respective storage positions releasably locks the drawers in theirclosed positions.
 5. A portable folding storage assembly as defined inclaim 4, wherein said first and second container assemblies are mountedon opposite sides of the central support structure from one another. 6.A portable folding storage assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein thestorage space of the storage container is divided into a plurality ofcompartments for organizing a plurality of personal items stored in thestorage space thereof, the storage compartments being constructed andarranged such that when the cover member thereof is in its closedposition, items in one compartment are prevented by said cover memberfrom moving into another compartment.
 7. A portable folding storageassembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the storage container ispivotally mounted to the central support structure and wherein when thestorage container is in its access position it extends outwardly from alower portion of said central support structure and is supported by saidlevel surface.
 8. A portable folding storage assembly as defined inclaim 1, wherein the cover member is movably attached to the storagecontainer for movement between open and closed positions with respectthereto.
 9. A portable folding storage assembly for storing and carryinga plurality of items, said storage assembly comprising: a centralsupport structure constructed and arranged to be supported in agenerally upright position on a level support surface; a containerassembly comprising a storage container and a cover member, said storagecontainer providing interior storage space and an access opening intosaid storage space, said storage container being mounted on said centralsupport structure for movement with respect thereto between an accessposition and a storage position, said cover member being movable withrespect to the storage container between a closed position in which thecover member is in covering relation with the access opening of thestorage container to retain stored items within the storage space and aopen position in which the cover member is moved away from the accessopening of the storage container to allow items to be placed in andremoved from the storage space of the storage container; said containerassembly being movable between an access position and a storage positionwith respect to the central support structure, said container assemblybeing constructed and arranged such at 1) when the container assembly isin its access position, the storage container is in its access positionand the cover member is movable into its open position and 2) when thecover member is in its closed position the container assembly can bemoved into its storage position in which the storage container is in itsstorage position with respect to the central support structure, thecentral support structure being constructed and arranged such that whenthe container assembly is in its storage position, the central supportstructure is positioned to hold the cover member in its closed positionwith respect to the storage container; a locking assembly constructedand arranged to releasably lock the container assembly in the storageposition thereof; a handle connected to the central support structure,said handle being manually engagable by a hand of a worker to enable theworker to carry the central support structure, particularly when thecontainer assembly is in the storage position thereof; and a storage binhaving an interior storage space accessible through an access opening,said storage bin being mounted on said central support structure formovement between an access position and a storage position, said centralsupport structure including covering structure constructed and arrangedto cover the access opening of the storage bin when the storage bin isin its storage position, wherein a lower portion of said storage bin ispivotally mounted to the central support structure for movement betweenthe access position and the storage position thereof and wherein thecentral support structure further includes storage bin support structureconstructed and arranged to limit the opening movement of the storagebin from its storage position into its access position, said storage binsupport structure thereby holding the storage bin at an angle thatprovides convenient access to the items stored in the storage spacethereof through the access opening thereof while preventing the storagebin from pivoting outwardly from the central support structure to causeitems stored therein from falling out thereof.
 10. A portable foldingstorage assembly as defined in claim 9, wherein said container assemblyis a first container assembly, said folding storage assembly furthercomprising a second container assembly and a third container assemblymounted on said central support structure for movement between an accessposition and a storage position in a manner similar to the firstcontainer assembly.
 11. A portable folding storage assembly as definedin claim 9, wherein the cover member is movably attached to the storagecontainer for movement between open and closed positions with respectthereto.
 12. A portable folding storage assembly, comprising: a centralsupport structure including a lower base portion and an upper portionsupported on the lower base portion, the upper portion having a pair ofopposed side walls defining a central storage space therebetween andopposed ends defining an access opening to the central storage space; atleast one container assembly supported by the lower base portionadjacent to a side wall of the central support structure and comprisinga storage container providing interior storage space and an accessopening into the storage space and a cover selectively movable over theaccess opening, wherein the container assembly is movable between anaccess position and a storage position and the cover is selectivelymovable when the container assembly is in the access position; a lockingassembly associated with the container assembly and the central supportstructure to releasably lock the container assembly in the storageposition and close access to the central storage space; and a carryinghandle connected to the central support structure.
 13. A portablefolding storage assembly as defined in claim 12, further comprising atleast one drawer slidably disposed in the access opening to the centralstorage space.
 14. A portable folding storage assembly as defined inclaim 13, wherein the locking assembly includes a flange disposed on theat least one container assembly that overlaps the at least one drawerwhen the container assembly is in the storage position.
 15. A portablefolding storage assembly as defined in claim 12, wherein the lockingassembly includes a latch.
 16. A portable folding storage assembly asdefined in claim 12, wherein the central support structure furthercomprises a storage bin support with a movement limiting structure, andfurther comprising a storage bin retained in the storage bin support andmovable between a closed position and an open position defined by themovement limiting structure.
 17. A portable folding storage assembly asdefined in claim 16, further comprising a drawer slidably retained inthe central storage space.
 18. A portable folding storage assembly asdefined in claim 12, wherein the at least one container assemblyincludes two container assemblies each mounted adjacent an opposed sidewall of the central support structure.
 19. A portable folding storageassembly as defined in claim 12, wherein the at least one containerassembly includes three container assemblies, with two containerassemblies mounted adjacent an opposed side wall of the central supportstructure and the third container assembly mounted on an end of thecentral support structure.